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England PD beaten in historic ODI

Matloob Qureshi compiled an unbeaten 113 as Pakistan's Physical Disability team secured a 79-run victory over England in Dubai

Pakistan inflicted a 79-run defeat on their England counterparts in the first official one-day international between two Physical Disability sides.

In a floodlit fixture at the Global Cricket Academy in Dubai, Pakistan compiled an imposing 285 for five from 40 overs after choosing to bat first, thanks principally to 136 from vice-captain Hasnain Alam and an unbeaten 113 from Matloob Qureshi.

All of the top eight reached double figures in an encouraging reply, but the required run-rate proved beyond England’s reach as they finished on 206 for six.

Gordon Laidlaw and Callum Flynn, England’s top-scorer with 32, shared 72 for the first wicket, and wicketkeeper Liam Thomas supported Matthew Askin in an unbroken stand of 49 for the seventh.

England, who suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Twenty20 series, will aim to bounce back in two further 40-over fixtures on Friday and Sunday.

Captain James Williams struck with the fifth delivery of today’s match, trapping Altaf Ahmed lbw for four, but England had to wait until the 33rd over before making another breakthrough as Qureshi and Alam stroked the ball around with ease.

Shaun Rigby eventually broke the second-wicket stand, ending Alam’s 104-ball innings, which featured 19 fours and one six, with the score on 237.

Williams won another lbw decision, this time against Rao Javid, and wicketkeeper Danish Ahmed fell first ball to Matthew Partington before Askin took a fantastic catch on the long-on boundary to account for Jahanzaib Tiwana off Daniel Hamm.

Qureshi would not be shifted, however. His 110-ball knock contained 12 fours.

After the interval, England’s openers made a steady start, only to both fall lbw on the sweep in successive overs.

Sam Wyles and Shaun Rigby departed in similar fashion, for 11 and 28 respectively, and Partington and Williams made 12 and 15 before they also perished.

With the required run-rate rising rapidly, Askin and Thomas did all they could to keep the score moving.